DRAMA
The ambition of the students to explore the world of finance created the convincingly heady atmosphere that surrounded the recent financial crash
GROWN-UP STORYTELLING
the world of finance created the convincingly heady atmosphere that surrounded the recent financial crash. There were some nice clear stage pictures and charged physical and technical sequences from directors Seb Connor and Louie Carrigan. by Spenser and directed by Izer Onadim, managed to conjure the world of the New York docks with simplicity and clarity. Mr Sperring commented that there were some extraordinary performances, particularly from Darshy Whittington-Rao (winner of the Best Actor Cup). Fergus Thomas and James Atkinson played their female roles with an understatement that made them completely convincing, testimony to the boys’ maturity and focus. The greatest achievement of Grenville’s This House was to tell the story with clarity and to slip effortlessly between different locations in the Houses of Parliament – what better year for Best Director, Max Parfitt, to explore political intrigue? The Special Adjudicator’s Award this year was awarded to Grenville because of their superb ensemble playing. Howard’s Dear Mother proved a deeply moving exploration of separation and loss during the war. The actors’ voices were largely created through performing a series of letters to and from the ‘real’ front and the home front. The cast captured the sense of despair and personal anguish, leaving the audience exceptionally moved. Archie Smith had steered some great ensemble playing, involving boys from all three year groups and it was no surprise that the production was awarded the Best Play Cup. Perfect Isolation , Jonson’s entry, was written as a result of the College’s A View From The Bridge , produced
Middle School HouseDrama REVIEW
participation in the National Theatre’s New Views playwriting scheme. James Laurie’s entry was very well received at its world premiere! The play centred on quite distressing themes surrounding mental illness and bullying; but if there is anywhere to explore the world around us, it should be the stage and we were taken inside the mind of Joe as he wrestled with problems that most of us face at one time or another. The play, the cast and director were praised for their bravery and innovation. Shawshank , from Raleigh, was adapted and directed by Fred Robb, who created an entertaining and provocative piece of theatre laying bare the central narrative of two men sent to prison for murders they didn’t commit. Once again we saw Middle School boys really investing in complex characters with emotional maturity to create a charged atmosphere on stage. Sidney’s Teechers , directed by Jasper Davies, featured a talented ensemble that effortlessly played with Godber’s school-based script. Leo Milne transformed into a formidable Mr Basford and the comedy that flowed from this and other characterisations proved a suitably entertaining end to an evening that had intellectually and emotionally tested the audience.
Barnaby Mills (Year 13) and Emma Prendergast
B enji Sperring (Director of Drama at DPL) was full of enthusiasm for the performances he saw at Middle School House Drama in January; this was only matched by the enthusiasm with which DPL alumni received news that he was going to adjudicate. Mr Sperring commented that he was delighted to see the growth of his former students into rounded, brave and intelligent performers. He particularly praised boys’ stagecraft and commended those who staged their own work or tackled challenging subject matter. Marlowe’s Posh pushed the boundaries for subject matter – perhaps a little too far for the actors to convincingly inhabit their roles – but the danger inherent in the play had the audience’s complete attention. Theo Murchie was instrumental in creating this edge and Patrick Robinson brought maturity to the character of Chris, who suffers a brutal assault after pouring scorn on the braying antics of the rotters. The extract from Enron produced by Drake also concerned itself with tricky subject matter, but the ambition of the students to explore
A review of Tristan & Yseult will be published in The Alleynian 706
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